Murder in a meal

For this Murder in a Meal project

We focused primarily on the four main different types of macromolecules their chemistry and how they react to different chemicals. The four macro molecules we based our final project around were Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic acids. Each of which react in their own way and only to specific chemicals.

The goal,

of this final project was to use our new knowledge of macro molecules and their reactions to test for which macromolecules appeared in a subject's stomach. To do this we used the following indicator solutions; Biuret to test for protein, Benedicts to test for Carbohydrates, Iodine for starch. And there was no test for Lipids as the human body already contain many molecules of fat built inside. Each test would prove different results like If carbohydrates were present then the solution chemical reaction with Benedicts or with Iodine would make the solution a purple/black color. As for protein it would have produced a Purple color to show that proteins were present. However, In our subject's body no Purple color's were produced of the test resulting in proteins being marked absent in our subject's body. This helped Identify what our subject would have not been eating and based on subject by removal we eventually found where our subject's last location had been based on his previous meal.

To conclude the project we solved the mystery of a subjects most recent meal via using indicator solutions to find the present macromolecules inside our subject. this process involved using the following chemicals Benedict's iodine and biuret to test for carbohydrates or proteins. The test for carbohydrates came positive due to the chemical reaction of turning purple/black. Unlike the test for proteins which came negative due to no chemical reaction present. This narrowed down our subject's listing of meals and by subject of removal we located the poisoned meal to come from biaggi's restaurante italiano.

Biology concepts:

Each macro molecule has their own purpose, type and built from different monomers.

Carbohydrates: built from monosaccharides (simple sugars), used to deliver short term energy, and some examples include, glucose, fructose, sucrose

Protein: built from amino acids used as antibodies and for structural components, and some examples include keratin elastin and actin.

lipids: built from fatty acids, and used to store long term energy, some examples include, triglyceride and phospholipids.

Nucleic acids: built from nucleotides and are used to store the genetic make up of the next cell so the cell can be reproduced into a a copy of itself. Some examples include DNA and RNA.

Indicator solutions: Indicator tests are used to test unknown liquids or molecules to find which are present by inserting the right chemical formula to either make or not make a chemical reaction. Chemical reactions with the right chemical will prove which macromolecule is present.

Standard tests are used as basic knowledge or to double check information. Like using Iodine to test for starch when you already know the result of the test.

Some Other concepts,

We used for our project included, lab experiments and working in an online environment. These concepts still fairly new to us but we made sure to stick at it and use our skills of note taking and learning about positive and negative outcomes and place that knowledge into projects. That along with working in an online environment where you have to work as an individual to make sure you get as much notes as understanding as you need became vital before working on the project.

In conclusion,

Two things I did well during this project was just sharing a common good worth ethic with the team to get the task at hand accomplished. I would also say I did well on organization of time and stuck to the challenge and made sure to organize my work because notes definitely became important, and helped get our finished result and uncover the mystery that laid at hand.

Two things I will continue to improve upon are maybe taking a leading role in the group as I'm usually quite happy sitting in the back and doing my own work. And lastly I could say I could work doing less procrastination as it's an easy thing to get sucked into during online learning.

The two C's I used are critical thinking as I had to try and grasp the subject and learn so I could use the knowledge for late. And secondly collaboration for I shared a strong work ethic with my team mates and wanted to make sure every one was on the right page and have work double checked.